How to Choose the Best Shooting Targets for Your Needs (2022).

Updated 7/21/2022 Here are the basics of shooting targets. It’s not a problem, but even if your passion is shooting bullseyes or hunting elk, a few hours of target shooting can still be a great way to get your blood pumping. There is a greater variety of shooting targets than ever before, regardless of gun or discipline. You have everything you need to satisfy your trigger finger and improve your skills, from precision sight-in options that “dial your riflescope up”, to AR500 steel monsters for the long term. There are so many shooting targets available today that it is hard to choose from. If you’re just looking for pleasure, then anything will do. You can choose from a variety of materials to make your targets. The four most commonly used are:Paper or cardboardSteelClayPolymerAs is usually the case with different materials, each excels at different tasks and flounder at others. The material you choose for your target should match what you intend to shoot. Here’s a quick overview of each material’s strengths and weaknesses. Paper: Paper is still the most popular target material. It’s an excellent medium for tracking shot groups and a top choice if your scope or sights need to be adjusted or if you need a score for a competitive shooting match. Plain paper targets can be difficult to see from a distance. Modern reactive chip targets, where hits create bright halos on the surface, make them easier to see. Clays are less durable than paper targets, but they last a lot longer than steel targets. Many AR500 steel targets can last almost a lifetime if they are maintained properly. Steel shooting targets are great for training and provide instant feedback when struck. This is a sound you will love. Reactive targets are also available in steel. They not only make shooting more enjoyable, but they also increase the challenge. Steel targets can be a pain to transport and heavy targets can be difficult to maneuver. Steel targets are more expensive upfront, but they can be easier to move around if you shoot shotguns. It’s likely that you shoot them even if you’re not shooting birds. Clays are a common target in shotgun games. However, they can also be found downrange from rifles and pistols. This is just for fun. These brittle targets are easy to spot because they either break down or evaporate into a dust cloud. Clays have one drawback. They are only good for one time use. Polymer: Polymer targets are designed to allow a bullet through without causing any damage. They won’t last forever, however. Ground targets are primarily made of polymers. These three-dimensional targets rest on the ground and require some kind of backstop. This type of target is great fun because they jump like frogs in hot water. It’s okay, as many target styles cater to specific shooters. These targets are not definitive. Many of them can be adapted to other categories. These targets are only a guideline. There are shooting targets that can improve and evaluate how accurate you are at hitting the mark. Bullseye and sight in are two of the most popular. The first is the most well-known target for shooting and is great for beginners. It is ideal for learning how to see the sights and where to hold them. You can also practice the mechanics of shooting accurately, such as breathing, trigger control, and trigger control. The sight-in target is a standard for riflemen and is essential for zeroing in scopes. The target has a grid across its surface that allows you to assess your groups and adjust your scope’s aim point. A target that allows you to know when you hit the mark is important. Steel shooting targets are the most well-known, with their distinctive “Ping!” sounding when you hit a target. A good piece of steel is ideal for quick fire training with a handgun, carbine, or long-range shooting. However, they provide a different kind information about how you shoot. This shooting target option, which has the vital zones engraved on it, allows you to get to know your quarry well enough to make a meal. Clays are a part of trap and skeet in a certain sense. The silhouette is the most used by pistol and rifle shooters. You’re likely to have seen a silhouette and know the importance of self-defense training. It’s not something you should take lightly. A silhouette shooting target is a good way to learn how to use it effectively. It should also play a part in your target selection. Don’t be fooled by the price: Even though paper targets are the most affordable, they won’t last you more than an afternoon. If you shoot a lot, it might take you much longer. Steel targets are more durable and can last almost a lifetime. This means that they will tend to be less expensive the more you shoot. Paper will likely be less expensive if you only go to the range once a month. Parting ShotNow that we know the options for shooting targets, it should be easy to find one that suits your needs. One final word of advice. Don’t be afraid to try new things. You won’t know what works until your first few shots at it. It will also make you shoot more often.10 Best TargetsNRA Smallbore Rifle TargetsA-23/5 50 YardOutside the competitive world, the pleasure gun.22 is often referred to as a.22. It’s a little something to help you get rid of soup cans and catch the occasional squirrel. These small-bore rifles have a lot of potential, but are often overlooked. This is a shame, regardless of how you use yours. The NRA Official Smallbore 50Yard Rifle Targets can quickly change this. If you incorporate these relatively simple shooting targets into your regular range times, you will be amazed at how sharp your rimfire can be. A bullseye that is less than 4 inches in diameter is difficult to see at 50 yards through open sights. The sky is the limit if you can hold your gun and hit at that distance. NRA Smallbore Rifle Targets can be as inexpensive as they are. You need to know how much ammo you have. You need to know the limit of your gun. Simply put, success in the turkey woods depends on your shotgun patterns. Birchwood Casey’s Pregame Turkey Target makes it easier than ever. It features a photorealistic turkey and illustrated anatomy. The different target zones react differently to being hit. A bright orange halo will appear if you hit the gobbler in its brain or spine. A yellow halo will appear if you put shot on an area that is not vital. If you miss a plum, look for a yellow halo and then cuss. The Pregame Turkey will be a great addition to your wall. birchwoodcasey.comRite In The Rain 25-Meter Zeroing TargetThose with military experience will recognize the next shooting target. Most likely, you have zeroed in on one. This layout is a great option for shooters who have a carbine to dial in. Even if this is your first time using this style, it is still very effective. Rite In The Rain makes the paper waterproof, which is what they do best. This is a great product if you have ever spent time at the range in adverse weather or with regular targets. No more soggy corners in the middle of a string, or paper bursting in the middle in a deluge. Rite In The Rain gives you no excuse not to. riteintherain.comBirchwood Casey Dirty Bird SilhouetteAs pointed out above, Birchwood Casey has greatly improved sighting in with their easy-to-see Shoot-N-C line of shooting targets. Birchwood Casey’s splatter targets are not just for rifle marksmen. Before I set one up at my indoor range, the same question rumbled through my mind. After a few rounds, it was clear. The Dirty Bird Silhouette provides instant feedback about where you are hitting, which is especially useful during fast-fire segments. It’s a true gem on the Mozambique drill. The silhouette would be a real gangster at close-to-medium-range training with a carbine. birchwoodcasey.comIPSC Shooting Targets (Paper)If you carry, you need to train. You will also need shooting targets. The USPA/IPSC silhouettes, especially the paper version, are as good as generic-label beer. These silhouettes are as cheap as any other. I have thrown many rounds at them and they still outperform all others. A 100-round stack costs slightly more than a box full of defensive ammunition. Next, the scoring boxes provide solid geography for self defense training. They’re not realistic, but they give you a good handle for placing your rounds where you need them to be. They are versatile. They can be used to double the purpose if you are competing. These targets are essential for any range kit. XSteel proves that ground targets are not strictly handgun-only. The jack-style targets can withstand hits upto a.308 Win. The shooting target jumps into the air when you hit it. It’s not as easy as it sounds. XSteel must have had a few masochists because the paddles for the 12-inch tall target were a stout 3-inch in diameter. It’s a challenge to move it beyond 100 yards. It’s more fun, as we all know. MSRP: $54.97, xsteeltargets.comChampion DuraSeal Bowling Pin WobbleSome 3D and steel shooting targets have a major drawback. After you’ve knocked them down, you have to put them up. DuraSeal Bowling Pin Wobble is a clever little amusement that can be set up after being knocked down. This thing is rated upto.50 BMG. It’s also great fun if you only have a.22 pistol. The target’s resilience is enhanced by self-sealing rubber. Any holes in the target that were punched will close up after the bullet passes through. championtarget.comBirchwood Casey Ground Strike HexDue to poor action after being shot, some ground targets aren’t fun to shoot. The Ground Strike Hex is not one of these targets. This baby can fly when you connect, which gives some ideas for a fella. You could buy two and race your buddy down to the range. The Hex is made in the USA and is rated for all calibers. It is built to withstand a beating. The rubber’s self-seal ability means it can withstand hundreds of rounds without showing any wear. Its bright fluorescent yellow color makes it easy-to-see, even though it is 6 inches in diameter. birchwoodcasey.comBirchwood Casey World Of Targets PopperAs a simple, satisfying and practical way to sharpen your handgun skills, poppers are must-haves for serious shooters. Birchwood Casey’s is one of the most affordable options. The AR500 steel pistol target is 22 inches high and is made in the USA. It is lightweight and durable. The target is easy to set up and has a large 8-inch paddle that can be used to punish. The best part is that the target has a large actuating spring and resets itself in a blink of an eye. Pepper is a great target for providing both visual and auditory feedback. birchwoodcasey.comCaldwell AR500 Full Size IPSC Steel TargetsWhen it comes to practical rifle marksmanship, full-size steel silhouette targets like this example from Caldwell take the cake. Caldwell AR500 Full Size IPSC Steel TargetsWhen accuracy is your only goal then these full-size steel silhouette targets are the best. Caldwell also offers smaller targets at a fraction of the cost. However, the full-size targets allow for the most realistic training and are rated for rifle calibers of up to 3,000 feet per second and can withstand thousands upon thousands of rounds. These targets are expensive but they should last a long time. To top it off, Caldwell also offers several different hanging solutions for these targets, meaning that most shooters should have a way to make them work with their range setup.MSRP: $209.99, caldwellshooting.comNEXT STEP: Download Your Free Storm Tactical Printable Target Pack62 Printable MOA Targets with DOT Drills – Rifle Range in YARDSThis impressive target pack from our friends at Storm Tactical contains62 printable targetsfor rifle and handgun range use. Target grids and bullseye sizes can be found in MOA. Get Free Targets